Burned by Ellen Hopkins

This book was even better than Stay With Me. Pattyn's world is so horrible, yet Hopkins turns it into the most beautiful and bittersweet love story of all time. The novel was written in poem format, which at times made it hard to read, but at other times really portrayed the scene better than if it had been written normally. My favorite scene of the book:

Closing in on Home

Aunt J reined in Paprika.
Ethan, Pattyn has never really had a taste
of a good horse underneath her. Put her
on back and give her a dose, would you?

I climbed up behind him,
shaking slightly, both at the idea of what
was to come, and the idea of cinching
my arms tight around him.

The black didn't much
care for the notion of double, but Ethan
was most definitely in control. The horse
tensed as Ethan said, Fasten your seat belt.

I did as intructed, wrapping myself
around him like duct tape. Aunt J took
charge of Poncho as Ethan urged Diego
forward. Two steps and we hit a dead gallop.

God, what a feeling! Beneath
a layer of denim, the gelding's muscles
flexed and pulsed as we picked up speed.
I buried my face in Ethan's shirt, closed my eyes.

I was flying, no less than an eagle.
I was belly to back with the most incredible
man in the world, a man who had kissed me
like I never expected to be kissed. Ever.

I was the luckiest girl in the world.
Deep in my brain, I heard Aunt J's words.
True love finds you once, if you're lucky.
Had true love come knocking at my door?

That total description is to me one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I've ever read. Maybe it's because I can feel the muscles of the horse moving as if I were riding him myself, or maybe because you can feel Pattyn's relief and joy at the thought of actual love, something she never found at home. Hopkins describes the feelings and scene as vividly as if you were actually there living it. I wish I was.

What does Pattyn do at the end though? Does she kill everyone? Does she commit suicide? Does she decide to stick it out? Maybe it's just me not getting it, but I'm totally disappointed that Ellen Hopkins doesn't tell me. ):

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Book: Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were some of the most interesting people and the plot was gorgeous. Leila, the main character, not only was abnormal and weird, but she had a certain charm. Freymann-Weyr did an amazing job painting a picture of how Leila lives her life. Reading this story through Leila's dyslexic perspective was new and captivating. Her opinions on love and the complexity of her thoughts were what intrigued me the most about this story. the elegance of this book was breathtaking. Some parts of the story led me to believe that it was taking place in the '50s or '60s, just because Leila's world seemed so innocent and vintage. However, it took me until a good ways into the book to realize that it took place in New York City, post-September 11, 2001. Just the way she decribes stuff, like 'the attack on the city.' Even the little details had such grace and beauty in them, I dog-eared a few pages simply because Leila's thoughts were so, well, read for yourself:

"His face gives away that it's the first time she's said it. He must have thought, during those years when she wouldn't talk to him, that he would never find a way back to her. It makes the whole falling in love thing a little less scary to see that mistakes can be reversed."

I would for sure recommend this book to anyone. A must read! However, Freymann-Weyr left me hanging at the end, I want to know more! What happens with Leila and Eamon? What about with Clare and Raymond or Gyula? Come on! ):

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Book: Breaking Point by Alex Flinn

This book was pretty good. I enjoyed it. I wasn't anything special, I'll admit, but I didn't get bored half way through. It was acceptable enough to finish. Alex Flinn seems like a really good author, and I will probably read some more of her books to see if they improve any. My friend Kaysie is borrowing this book, and she seems to like it.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5